Ramos stops Rodela on Solo Boxeo

Undefeated lightweight prospect Luis Ramos Jr. stopped David Rodela with a body shot in the fifth round of a Solo Boxeo Tecate main event on Friday in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Ramos (20-0, 9 knockouts) dominated most of the early rounds action by pressing and outworking the 29-year-old gatekeeper with crisp combinations. Rodela appeared sluggish and unfocused in the first three rounds but the Oxnard, Calif., finally let his hands go on even terms with Ramos in the fourth round.

However, just as Rodela (15-5-4, 6 KOs) began to get into his rhythm, Ramos caught him with a hard left to the body that forced the veteran to collapse to one knee where he remained for referee Raul Caiz Jr.’s full 10 count

The victory is one of the 23-year-old Santa Ana, Calif., native’s most impressive performances.

In the co-featured bout of the Telefutura broadcast, undefeated featherweight prospect Ronny Rios out-pointed Roger Gonzalez in a bout that was far more competitive than the official scorecards indicate.

Rios (16-0, 7 KOs), won by scores of 80-72, 78-74, 78-74, but in truth, the 21-year-old Santa Ana, Calif., native was evenly matched with Gonzalez, a savvy veteran who has been in with world-class fighters, such as Jhonny Gonzalez and Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Rios held the edge in the early rounds with a relentless, two-fisted body attack, but Gonzalez (27-5, 18 KOs), who scored with hooks to the body and right crosses, was the more accurate puncher. They engaged in numerous entertaining close-quarters exchanges in the middle rounds of the bout. Rios was more aggressive and active, but Gonzalez got off with the faster, flashier offensive outbursts.

Gonzalez fought in spots, but his spots were very good, enough to temporarily put Rios on the defensive and back the young prospect up. He clearly won the seventh round, but Rios rallied in the eighth, which featured good two-way action.

The judges rewarded Rios for his aggression and consistent offense, but Gonzalez displayed his class and proved that he’s still a very capable professional.